So, you’re wandering through the Great Forest, probably chasing a deer or running from a stray Will-o-the-Wisp, and you stumble upon the Shrine of Kynareth. It’s a quiet spot. Peaceful. But then you realize the Nature's Fury quest in Oblivion isn’t about picking flowers or meditating. It’s basically a test of whether you can stand still while a giant bear tries to chew your face off.
It's weird.
Most quests in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion want you to swing a sword or cast a fireball. This one? It demands pacifism in a world that usually rewards aggression. If you've played through the Knights of the Nine DLC, you know that the Nature's Fury quest is a mandatory hurdle to get the Boots of the Crusader. But honestly, most players remember it more for the sheer frustration of the "test of worth" than the actual lore behind the Boots.
Getting Started: The Trek to the Shrine of Kynareth
First off, you have to find the place. It’s tucked away in the Great Forest, specifically west of the Imperial City and south of Chorrol. You’re looking for Avita Vesnia. She’s the one who initiates the Nature's Fury quest in Oblivion once you've started the "Pilgrim's Path."
She doesn't just give you the boots. That would be too easy. Instead, she tells you that Kynareth needs to "judge" you. You have to travel to a specific grove nearby. Avita is pretty vague about what happens next, which is a classic Bethesda move. You're basically told to go to the Grove of Trials and prove you respect nature.
In a game where you’ve likely already killed three hundred goblins and a dozen Daedra, suddenly being asked to "respect nature" feels like a bit of a curveball.
✨ Don't miss: Marvel Rivals Sexiest Skins: Why NetEase is Winning the Aesthetic War
The Trial of the Forest Guardian
Once you arrive at the grove, the real Nature's Fury quest begins. A "Forest Guardian"—which is really just a spectral bear—appears. Most players see a bear and immediately reach for their Claymore.
Don't do that.
If you fight back, you fail. If you run too far away, you fail. The quest is a literal test of endurance and restraint. You have to stand there. You have to let the bear attack you. It’s a mechanic that feels counter-intuitive to how 99% of RPGs work. You just... take it.
The bear isn't exactly a kitten, either. Depending on your level, those swipes can actually hurt. It’s an interesting design choice because it forces you to engage with the game’s defensive mechanics—or just your health bar—without the dopamine hit of a counter-attack.
Eventually, the bear realizes you aren't a threat. Or maybe it just gets bored. Either way, it stops attacking, and a hidden door opens up in the back of the grove leading to a small cave.
🔗 Read more: Why EA Sports Cricket 07 is Still the King of the Pitch Two Decades Later
What Most People Miss in the Grove
There’s a bit of a misconception that you can’t use any magic. You can. You just can’t use offensive magic. Casting a Restore Health spell or a Shield spell is totally fine. In fact, if you’re doing this at a high level, having a decent "Reflect Damage" or "Absorb Health" enchantment on your gear might actually make the bear kill itself, which can glitch the quest.
Try to avoid that. Keep it simple. Just heal yourself.
Claiming the Boots of the Crusader
Inside the cave, you find the prize: the Boots of the Crusader. These aren't just fancy footwear. In the context of the Knights of the Nine, they represent the "Woodsman’s" aspect of the divine Pelinal Whitestrake.
The boots have a very specific enchantment called "Woodsman's Benevolence." It’s one of those niche perks that sounds useless until you’re actually using it. Basically, it makes it so that "creatures of the wild" won't attack you. No more annoying wolf packs interrupting your fast travel. No more bears jumping out of bushes. It’s a quality-of-life upgrade that fits the theme of the Nature's Fury quest perfectly.
Interestingly, if you lose your "fame" or commit a crime, you lose the ability to wear the boots. You’ll get a message saying you aren't worthy. You’ll have to do the whole "Pilgrimage of the Nine" again. It’s a massive pain, so maybe don't go on a thieving spree in Cheydinhal while wearing Pelinal’s gear.
💡 You might also like: Walkthrough Final Fantasy X-2: How to Actually Get That 100% Completion
Why This Quest Still Frustrates Players
The Nature's Fury quest in Oblivion is short, but it’s notorious for being buggy. Sometimes the bear doesn't spawn. Sometimes it spawns and just stares at you without attacking, which soft-locks the progression.
If the bear isn't attacking, try moving closer. It needs to register a certain amount of "combat" time with you. If you have a high "Personality" stat or have used a "Charm" spell nearby, the bear might actually be too friendly to attack you, which is the ultimate irony for a quest about proving your worth to nature.
Practical Steps for Completing Nature's Fury
If you're stuck or just starting this part of the Knights of the Nine, follow these specific steps to ensure you don't break the quest or your controller.
- Check your Infamy. If your Infamy is higher than your Fame, Avita Vesnia won't even talk to you. Go visit the wayshrines first.
- Strip down your gear if necessary. If you have "Reflect Damage" items, take them off. You don't want the Forest Guardian taking damage from its own hits.
- Prepare a basic Heal spell. You don't need fancy potions, just enough Magicka to keep your health above zero while the bear does its thing.
- Wait for the "Quest Updated" notification. Don't run into the cave the second the bear stops moving. Wait for the game to acknowledge your "mercy."
- Check the cave floor. The Boots are on a pedestal, but sometimes physics in the Gamebryo engine can be... temperamental. If they aren't on the pedestal, look around the base.
Once you have the boots, you're one step closer to reforming the Knights of the Nine. Just remember that the Boots of the Crusader are only as good as your reputation. If you fall from grace, the "Woodsman's Benevolence" disappears, and every wolf in Cyrodiil will be back on your case.
Keep your Infamy at zero, your Restore Health spell ready, and let the bear win the fight. It's the only way to win the quest.